The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has finally begun rolling out the second tranche of financial assistance for those who were affected by the current novel coronavirus pandemic.
The Emergency Subsidy Program (ESP) is part of the government’s Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act where each devisee will have Php 5000 to Php 8000 depending on the minimum wage of the region that they were employed.
The first wave of cash aid started with 1.3 million Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries. The rest of the recipients will obtain their cash subsidies next week as long as they presented the requirements that were authenticated by the agency.
It can be recalled that the issuance of SAPs got delayed to avoid duplication of payments since some of the receivers were on the list of DOLE’s COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP).
Photo/DSWD NCR
On a virtual press briefing yesterday (June 11), DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista announced that they acquired a total of Php 196 billion from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). Last April 2, they received Php 100 billion for the 1st stage implementation of Social Amelioration Program (SAP) while they got Php 96 billion budget on the second phase. 83 Local Government Units (LGUs) including the areas of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will also need to submit a settled SAP distribution throughout the first tranche.
Related: DSWD registration for cash beneficiaries
The following are the locations under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) covered by the 2nd tranche:
- Metro Manila
- Calabarzon
- Central Luzon (except Aurora)
- Pangasinan
- Benguet
- Bacolod
- Cebu
- Iloilo
- Albay
- Davao
- Zamboanga
In the places mention above, low-income families who were part of the 1st juncture of SAPs will also be considered on the 2nd one. The administration earlier stated that out of 8.5 million households, 5 million of them were excluded. Overall, 13.5 million families will benefit from the contribution wherein those who live from GCQ sites will earn one-time support while inheritors from towns under ECQ will have two waves of subsidy.
On the other hand, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque gave an assurance that the program will proceed even though it will expire on June 25, 2020.
The transfer of financial aid will be given out via the application called ReliefAgad to expedite the allocation which will take within two days. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) will also help LGUs in delivering relief goods, especially on far-flung places.
